How “Coach K” helped fuel Yelm’s fundraiser to save a high school sports team

YELM, Washington – Mike Krzyzewski is best known as the most successful coach in college basketball.

But in Yelm, Coach “K” may be remembered for helping to save a part of high school sports.

The coach's support of a fundraiser helped organizers exceed their goal in hopes of offsetting a budget cut in Yelm.

The school district is facing budget cuts of about $10 million following the failure of two levies that failed to pass earlier this year.

Superintendent Chris Woods said cuts are being made across the board, including more than 100 job cuts, reduced support for electives, no transportation for student-athletes and the elimination of C-teams in several sports.

C-Teams give freshmen and sophomores the opportunity to gain exposure to a sport before competing at the junior or varsity level.

Yelm football coach Jason Ronquillo has started an online fundraiser to raise money to maintain the C teams in football, volleyball, and boys and girls basketball and soccer.

John Curley of KIRO Newsradio's “John Curley and Jake Skorheim Show” learned of the cuts and began talking about them on his show.

“It bothered me,” said Curley, who contacted Krzyzewski on Tuesday about appearing on the show.

The two have worked together on previous fundraisers.

Curley said he did not ask the coach for a donation, he just wanted Krzyzewski to talk to listeners about the importance of sports for youth.

“Sport is an essential part of the education of a young man or woman,” Krzyzewski said in an interview.

Curley said within 20 minutes, more than $20,000 in donations had flowed into the online account.

“We're thrilled that this is happening,” Ronquillo said, adding that the media attention helped fundraising exceed the $50,000 goal and raise nearly $65,000.

Ronquillo said he was relieved and pleased to tell players that the C teams will likely stay.

“The most important thing for me and the people I deal with,” Ronquillo said. “Don't take the opportunity away from you.”

The plan has not quite crossed the finish line yet.

Woods said the donation must be officially accepted and allocated by the school board, which he estimated could happen by next week.